It then examines the logia in the Thomas chiasms that
correspond to
Thomas 17, and in like manner it also examines the verses in the 1
Corinthians chiasms that corresponds to 1 Corinthians 2:9.

Then
the similarities between the Chiasmic
structures of both
the Thomas and the 1 Corinthian passages are revealed. These
similarities may suggest a relationship and/or interdependency
between Thomas and 1 Corinthians. Color coding is often used to
emphasize reoccurring themes.

The Similar Sayings found in Both Paul and The Gospel of Thomas

The
Living Jesus Gives
to the
Eye, Ear, and Mind what God has
Prepared:

Paul declares, "As
it is written, Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of
man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him," 1
Corinthians 2:9This quote is not an
original Pauline thought. It is from an established
authority. This is emphasized by Paul's phrase, "As it is
written." Is
Paul quoting Isaiah 64:4, an unknown source, or is Paul quoting
Jesus
from the Gospel of Thomas?

Isaiah
proclaims, "Since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor
perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee,
what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him," Isaiah
64:4.

Jesus
said, "I
shall give
you
what no eye
has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and
what has
never occurred to the human mind," Thomas 17.

Paul appears to be
drawing on the phraseology found in both Isaiah and Thomas.
The following chart illustrates
this.

Isaiah 64:4

Jesus:
Thomas 17

Paul :
1 Corinthians 2:9

Since
the beginning of the world

men have not heard,
nor perceived by the ear,

neither hath the eye
seen, O God, beside thee,

(Isaiah has the eye and ear phrases appearing in reverse order to both
Thomas and Paul which are both consistent with each other in this
respect)

(The reference to the human mind or heart is left out by Isaiah - This
may suggest that Paul may also have been referencing Thomas in his
creation of 1 Corinthians)

what he hath prepared
for him that waiteth for him

I
shall give
you

what no eye
has seen
and

what no ear
has heard
and

what no hand
has touched and

what has
never occurred to the human
mind

The
word "prepared" is left out of the Gospel of Thomas consistent with its
emphasis on realized eschatology.

As
it is written,

Eye
hath not seen,

nor ear
heard,

(The
reference to hand touching is unique to Thomas, and is left out by both
Paul and Isaiah. This is significant as both the entended hand
and giving is an important image in Thomas, and also seen later in the
Corinthians Chiasms 2:12, 14, and 14:1,8,14,17)
neither have entered into the heart
of
man,

the things which God hath prepared
for them that love him

Paul's use of the wordorder
consistent with Thomas rather than the word order of Isaiah, and his
use of the phraseologies
unique to Thomas and left out by Isaiah may suggest that
Thomas was written prior to the creation
of 1 Corinthians. It may be worth considering whether Thomas
was used in the construction of 1 Corinthians.

By viewing and comparing the Chiastic structures in both books the
possibilities are considered.

2:6.
Howbeit we
speak wisdom
among them that are perfect: yet not
the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come
to nought:

We
speak wisdom

7.But we speak the
wisdom of
God in a mystery,
[even] the hidden [wisdom],
which God ordained before the world unto our glory:8.
Which none of the
princes
of this world knew: for had they
known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the
things
which God hath prepared for them that love him.

The princes

The Wisdom of God... things God prepared for those
that love him.

4:7. For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what
hast
thou that thou didst not receive?
now if thou didst receive
[it], why
dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received
[it]?

[Thou]
received
[it]

8. Now ye
are full,
now ye
are rich,ye
have reigned
as kings without us: and I would to
God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

Ye have reigned

Ye are full,...
Ye are rich

Combining and Comparing the Corresponding Verses of the
The Gospel of Thomas Chiasm to the 1 Corinthians Chiasm

The Gospel of Thomas

1 Corinthians

Jesus said, "I
shall give
you
what no
eye
has seen and what no ear has heard
and what no hand has
touched and what
has
never occurred to the human mind,"
Thomas 17.

No eye
has seen and what no ear has heard

What
has
never occurred to the human mind

"But as it is written, Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of
man, the things which God
hath prepared for them that love him,"
1 Corinthians 2:9

Eye
hath not seen, nor ear
heard

Neither
have
entered into the heart
of
man

Jesus
said, "If
you have money, do not lend
it at interest, but give
it
to one from whom you
will not get it
back,."
Thomas 95.

Now ye are full, now
ye are
rich, ye have reigned as
kings without us: and I would to God ye
did
reign, that we also might reign with you," 1 Corinthians 4:8.

Now
ye are
rich
For who maketh thee
to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?
now if
thou didst receive
[it], why dost thou glory,
as if
thou hadst not received
[it]? 1 Corinthians 4:7.

Paul's
quote of Jesus, taken from the Gospel of Thomas, speaks of
the hidden Wisdom (or Sophia) of God revealed in the
mystery, prepared for those who have waited and love him.
And so, now ye
are full. The Chiasms of both texts taken together suggest
that though ye
are rich, and though
ye have reigned, it is still the gift of God. And so, in
like manner, it must be
given to those who can
not give back.

The next section
considers how this can be
accomplished: The
giving
and receiving
of the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding
through the gifts
of the Spirit and the assembling of the church.

The Bridal Chamber alignments containing the Thomas 17 saying are now
considered. They are then compared with the corresponding primary
chiasmic verses in 1 Corinthians. Together these structures reveal that
it is through the church, the unified corporate body of Christ, that
the Wisdom of God is revealed. It is through the church that Jesus gives "what
no eye
has seen and what no ear hasheard
and what no hand has touched and
what has
never occurred to the human mind,"

(17)
Jesus said, "I
shall give
youwhat
no eye has seen and
what no ear has heard and what no
hand has
touched and what has never occurred to the human mind."

Give
you

(18)
The disciples said to Jesus,
"Tell us how our end will be."
Jesus said, "Have
you
discovered, then, the
beginning, that you look
for the end? For where the beginning is, there will the end be. Blessed
is he
who
will take his place in the
beginning; he will know the end
and will not experience death."

Have
you discovered

He who will take his place

(94)
Jesus said, "He who seeks
will find, and he
who knocks
will be let in."

Seeks
will find

He who knocks will be let in

(95)
Jesus said, "If you have
money, do not lend it at interest, but give
it
to one from whom you
will not get it back."

Give
it

17,
95 above connects with 17, 95 below.

The
Up Movement on the 17 /
95 Alignment.

[11]

(17)
Jesus said, "I
shall
give
youwhat
no eye has seen and
what no ear has heard and what no
hand has
touched and what has never occurred to the human mind."

Give
you

(16)
Jesus said, "Men think,
perhaps, that it is peace which I have come to cast
upon the
world. They
do not know that it is
dissension which I have come to cast upon
the earth: fire,
sword, and war. For there will be five in a house:
three will be against two, and two against three, the father against
the son, and the son against the father. And they will stand solitary."

They do not
know...it

Fire
upon earth

(96)
Jesus said, "The kingdom of
the father is like a certain woman. She took a little leaven, concealed
it in some dough,
and made it into large loaves. Let him who has ears
hear."

Concealed
it

(Cooked)
dough... loaves

(95)
Jesus said, "If you have
money, do not lend it at interest, but give
it
to one from whom you
will not get it back."

Give
it

The Living Jesus gives
to the church through the gifts of the
Spirit operating in the church. See a
Revelation. Hear
a word of Prophecy. Hands
giving gifts. Understand the mysteries given
to the heart
and the mind.
Jesus speaks Wisdom.

2:6. Howbeit we
speak
wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this
world,
nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the
hidden
[wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they
known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear
heard,
neither
have entered into the heart of man, the
things which God hath prepared
for them that love him.

10.But
God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:

for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.11. For what man
knoweth the things of
a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of
God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.12.
Now we have received,
not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which
is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of
God.13. Which things
also we speak, not in
the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost
teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.14.
But the natural man receiveth
not the things of the Spirit of God: for
they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they
are spiritually discerned.15. But he that
is spiritual judgeth
all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.16.
For who hath known the mind of the Lord,
that he may instruct him? But
we have the mind
of Christ.

Relevant Passage in Full

1
Corinthians 13

[12]
For now we see
through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I
know in part; but then shall I know even
as also I am known.[13]
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of
these is charity.

1
Corinthians 14

[1]
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather
that ye
may prophesy.[2]
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but
unto God: for no man understandeth
him; howbeit in the spirit he
speaketh mysteries.[3]
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and
exhortation, and comfort.[4]
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that
prophesieth edifieth the church.[5] I
would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied:
for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues,
except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.[6]
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I
profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by
knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?[7]
And even things without life giving sound,
whether pipe or harp, except
they give a
distinction in the sounds,
how shall it be known what is
piped or harped?[8]
For if the trumpet give
an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself
to the battle?[9]
So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood,
how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak
into the air.[10]
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of
them is without signification.[11]
Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him
that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian
unto me.[12]
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that
ye may excel to the edifying of the church.[13]
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may
interpret.[14]
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding
is unfruitful.[15]
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding
also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with
the understanding
also.[16]
Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth
the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing
he understandeth
not what thou sayest?[17]
For thou verily givest
thanks well, but the other is not edified.[18]
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:[19]
Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding,
that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in
an unknown tongue.[20]
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye
children, but in understanding be men.[21]
In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will
I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me,
saith the Lord.[22]
Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them
that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe
not, but for them which believe.[23]
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all
speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or
unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?[24]
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one
unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:[25]
And thus are the secrets of his heart made
manifest; and so falling
down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of
a truth.[26]
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath a
psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an
interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.[27]
If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most
by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.[28]
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in
the church; and
let him speak to himself, and to God.[29]
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

[30] If any thing be
revealed to
another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

[31] For ye may all prophesy
one by one, that
all may learn, and all may be comforted.[32]
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.[33]
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all
churches of the saints.[34]
Let your women keep
silence in the churches: for it is not permitted
unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as
also saith the law.[35]
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home:
for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.[36]
What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?[37]
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments
of the Lord.[38]
But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.[39]
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with
tongues.[40]
Let all things be done decently and in order.

Combining and Comparing The Corresponding Ideas of the The Gospel
of Thomas Bridal Chamber Chiasm to the 1 Corinthians Primary
Chiasm

The Gospel of Thomas

(From the above Bridal chamber chiasm)

1 Corinthians

(From the above Primary Chiasm)

Jesus said, "I
shall give
you
what no
eye
has seen and what no ear has heard
and what no hand has
touched and what
has
never occurred to the human mind,"
Thomas 17.

No eye
has seen and what no ear has heard

What
has
never occurred to the human mind

"But as it is written, Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of
man, the things which God
hath prepared for them that love him,"
1 Corinthians 2:9

Eye
hath not seen, nor ear
heard

Neither
have
entered into the heart
of
man

Jesus
said, "If
you have money, do not lend
it at interest, but
give
it
to one from whom you
will not get
it back,."
Thomas 95.

Give
it (money)

Get
it back

For
thou verily givest
thanks
well, but the other is not edified, 1 Corinthians 14:17 (see
also 14:7-8).Givest
thanks
Greater
is he that prophesieth than he that
speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive
edifying, 1
Corinthians 14:5 (see also 14: 3-5, 11, 17,
27).

Receive
edifying

(18)
The disciples said to Jesus,
"Tell us how our end will be." Jesus said, "Have
you
discovered, then, the
beginning, that you look
for the end? For where the beginning is, there will the end be. Blessed
is he
who
will take his place in the
beginning; he will know the end
and will not experience death."

Have
you discovered

If any thing be
revealed
to
another that sitteth by, let
the first hold his peace, 1
Corinthians 14:30, (see also 14:6,26.

Be revealed
to
another

(94)
Jesus said, "He who seeks
will find, and he
who knocks
will be let in."

Seeks
will find

Follow after charity, and desire (seek)
spiritual gifts, but rather that ye
may prophesy, 1
Corinthians 14:1.

seekspiritual
gifts

(16)
Jesus said, "Men think,
perhaps, that it is peace which
I have come to cast upon
the
world. They
do not know that it is
dissension which I have come to cast upon
the earth: fire,
sword, and war. For there will be five in a house:
three will be against two, and two against three, the father against
the son, and the son against the father. And they will stand solitary."

Cast...
peace

They do not know...
it

For God
is not the author
of confusion, but of
peace,
as in all
churches of the saints, 1
Corinthians 14:33.

Author... peace

Be not
children in understanding: ... all that will they not hear
me,... to them
that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe
not, but for them which believe...If
therefore... there come in those
that are unlearned, or
unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 1
Corinthians
14:20-23.

Those that are unlearned

(96)
Jesus said, "The kingdom of
the father is like a
certain woman.
She took a
little leaven, concealed
it in some dough,
and made it into large loaves. Let him who has ears
hear."A
certain
woman...
Concealed
it

ConcealedEars
hear

We speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not
the wisdom of this world,...But
we speakthe
wisdom of
God in a mystery,
[even] the hidden [wisdom], 1
Corinthians 2:6-7.

The
wisdom
(Sophia) of
God,...The
hidden wisdom

Be not
children in understanding:... but in understanding be
men.
In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will
I speak
unto this
people; and yet for all that will they not hear
me,
saith the Lord....If any
thing be revealed
to another
that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.14:21-22, 30.

This page has considered common themes relating to Thomas 17 and 1
Corinthians 2:9. The female, male, and bridle chamber chiasms from
Thomas 17 and the primary and first secondary chiasms from 1 Corinthians
have also been examined for commonalities.

The giving and receiving of the
wealth of wisdom and revelation to bring understanding to the heart and
mind is a reoccurring theme.

Seeing and hearing spiritually,
and passing along the gifts that are given is the primary message.

The emphasis upon seeking and discovering that which is concealed and unknown is seen repeatedly within both the corresponding bridal chamber chiasms of Thomas and also within the corresponding verses of the primary chiasm in 1 Corinthians. This may suggest a common source or perhaps dependency of the one upon the other.

The
repeated reoccurance of these common themes and key words may suggest that Paul used The Gospel of Thomas in
the creation of the 1 Corinthians.